PSN down until the end of May?

09/05/2011

Since the day when the PlayStation Network was the victim of a vicious attack by hackers, the online service has been down, and as yet Sony don’t appear to know when it might be back online. This morning they said that they have no idea when the service might be back up and running, with some saying that players might have to wait until the end of the month before it’s back up.

The damage this will do to the PS3 is unknown right now, but there’s no doubt that this is absolute manna from heaven for Microsoft, whose squeaky clean record with regards to online security on Xbox Live is practically glimmering with light next to Sony’s tarnished copybook. There can’t be any doubt that lots of people will be put off buying a console if they feel that they are at risk of having their credit card details pinched.

‘As you may know, we've begun the process of restoring the service through internal testing of the new system,’ read a Sony statement. ‘We're still working to confirm the security of the network infrastructure, as well as working with a variety of outside entities to confirm with them of the security of the system. Verifying the system security is vital for the process of restoration.

‘Additional comprehensive system checks and testing are still required, and we must complete that process before bringing the systems online.

As you've heard us say, our utmost priorities are the security of the network and ensuring your data is safe. We won't restore the services until we can test the system's strength in these respects.

‘When we held the press conference in Japan last week, based on what we knew, we expected to have the services online within a week. We were unaware of the extent of the attack on Sony Online Entertainment servers, and we are taking this opportunity to conduct further testing of the incredibly complex system.

‘We know many of you are wanting to play games online, chat with your friends and enjoy all of the services PlayStation Network and Qriocity services have to offer, and trust me when I say we're doing everything we can to make it happen. We will update you with more information as soon as we have it. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience of this network outage.’